What is FWD Champions Day?

FWD Champions Day is one of Hong Kong’s most watched and highly anticipated racing events which is staged each year. It features three prestigious Group 1 races and has been hosted at Sha Tin racecourse since 1979.

The meeting includes the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup, which has a prize pool of HK$25,000,000 over 2000 metres and is open to horses aged three and over. The FWD Champion’s Mile is contested for HK$24,000,000 over a 1600-metre trip, also for horses aged three and up.

The Chairman’s Sprint Prize has a purse of HK$20,000,000, and is raced over 1200 metres, again for horses aged three and older. The meeting is on April 27th, 2025, and you can expect to see plenty of Aussie jockey’s competing including Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman and Brenton Avdulla.

Previous Winners

Romantic Warrior has become the superstar in Hong Kong racing in recent years. In 2022, he claimed his first win in the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup, with Karis Teetan in the saddle.

The following year, James McDonald took over the reins and steered the talented horse to another win in the QEII Cup before he also triumphed in the Cox Plate. In 2024, the gelding marked his name in history by completing a three-peat with James McDonald on board for trainer Danny Shum.

Beauty Generation

In recent years, the FWD Champion’s Mile has seen some stunning performances. In 2018 and 2019, the wonderful Beauty Generation went back-to-back, with Zac Purton on board for trainer John Moore. In 2020, Southern Legend scored with Vincent Ho in the saddle for trainer Caspar Fownes.

​The next three years saw the very popular Golden Sixty shine, with Vincent Ho steering the horse to victory for trainer Francis Lui, solidifying the horse’s status as a true champion. In 2024, Beauty Eternal, trained by John Size and ridden by Zac Purton, emerged victorious, marking a fresh chapter in this prestigious race’s history.

Recent winners of the Chairman’s Sprint Cup feature Wellington in 2021 and 2022, trained by Richard Gibson and ridden by Alexis Badel. In 2023, Lucky Sweynesse ridden by Zac Purton, won the race before in 2024, Invincible Sage, trained by David Hall and ridden by Hugh Bowman, secured victory.

Tips for FWD Champions Day 2025

The Pickabookie.com.au futures selections for these three races will be available nearer the date of the race so be sure to check back in early April.

Please remember to think before you bet. Stay in control, set limits, and seek support if gambling is no longer fun. Head to https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/ if you require help.